[IMC-Editorial] CRS Announces Winners of Humanitarian Writing Award

[Catholic Relief Services]

CRS ANNOUNCES 2004 AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR HUMANITARIAN REPORTING 

Washington, May 27, 2004 -- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) today announced the winners of the annual Eileen Egan Journalism Awards. The awards, presented at the Catholic Press Association convention in Washington, DC, honor journalists writing for Catholic publications on issues related to the developing world. 

This year’s winners include: Susan Kopp, Living City (published by the Focolare Movement); Greg LaFreniere, The Long Island Catholic (Diocese of Rockville Centre); and Heidi Schlumpf, U.S. Catholic. Award winners will travel to Asia later this year to witness firsthand the work CRS is doing.

Susan Kopp’s entry won for the under 35,000-circulation category. The story, “Untold Success, A Courageous Servant of Peace,” details Uganda’s success in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and of one woman’s dedication to helping those affected by the disease. Among publications with a circulation greater than 35,000, Greg LaFreniere’s three-part series on Ethiopia’s hunger crisis, “Whatever You Do . . .” topped the entries. And Heidi Schlumpf’s “Rebuilding Bridges in the Balkans,” led the national publications category.

Six writers received honorable mentions: Vincent Gragnani, The Southern Cross (Diocese of San Diego); Kristen Hannum, The Catholic Sentinel (Archdiocese of Portland and Diocese of Baker); Ray Dyer, The Sooner Catholic (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City); Kate Blain, The Evangelist (Diocese of Albany); Dennis Linehan, S.J., America Magazine; and Arthur Jones, National Catholic Reporter.

The competition, now in its ninth year, is judged by a national panel of journalists from secular news outlets. The panel of judges for this year’s competition comprised Rita Cosby of Fox News Channel, Carol Giacomo of Reuters and Roger Thurow of the Wall Street Journal.

Eileen Egan was CRS’ first professional layperson and overseas staff representative. A noted author and advocate for the poor, Egan was the author of several books, including For Whom There is No Room: Scenes from the Refugee World and Such a Vision of the Street, on the life of Mother Teresa. Ms. Egan died in October 2000 at the age of 88.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in 94 countries and territories on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.

CONTACT: 			
Cecile Sorra
410-951-7215
csorra at catholicrelief.org
or
Elizabeth Griffin
410-951-7361
egriffin at catholicrelief.org

For more information about Catholic Relief Services, visit our website at www.catholicrelief.org
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